New round of high level talks on 24 January

(Klan Kosova, KTV)

Latest situation in Kosovo, the warmongering rhetoric that is being heard from Belgrade, but also the rhetoric of Albanian politicians, has pushed Brussels to urgently call a new high level round of talks between Kosovo and Serbia. Through her office, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, confirmed that she has invited leaders of both countries to meet at a high level meeting on 24 January in Brussels.

“Developments of recent days demonstrate the need for an increased commitment from both sides through dialogue,” reads a press statement send to reporters from Ms Mogherini’s office.

“Advancement in normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains a condition for both sides in their progress toward European integration,” state in Brussels.

It seems that calling of this new high level round of talks, which did not happen for quite a while, has been done on Thursday, having in mind that bridge in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica would need to open on Friday, but it seems that this might not happen. Therefore, to avoid dissatisfactions and encourage implementation of agreements that have stalled so far in their implementation, EU informed on Thursday evening that the new meeting at the highest level will be held on 24 January.

It is expected that in this meeting EU will insist on both parties to do more to implement parts of the agreements and refrain from use of language that might also raise concerns in the region, but also new tensions, particularly in Kosovo north. 

Interruption of talks with Serbia requested

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Opposition has accused the Government of Kosovo and Serbian Government of orchestrating spectacles, while they have requested interruption of talks until Serbia will remove its arrest warrants.

After commending it for the ‘train’ case, opposition in the Assembly of Kosovo returned to accusations against the Government.

According to Vetëvendosje Movement, the train case has refuted two positions of the post-war governments, one on the lack of capacities to extend rule of law in the north, and the other one, that such an action would be opposed by the international community.

On the other hand, Valdete Bajrami of Nisma për Kosovën called for demolition of the wall constructed in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north by 1 February the latest, in line with the Resolution adopted at the Assembly.

Covering the same session, in its main news edition RTK2 reported that opposition members of Kosovo Assembly also called for deployment of Kosovo Security Force in the north.

Qosja proposes territory exchange between Kosovo and Serbia

(Klan Kosova)

Negotiations and agreements that are being done in Brussels meetings between Kosovo and Serbia leaders will not solve the problem that the two states have between them. If academic Rexhep Qosja were asked, President Hashim Thaçi and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa should do something else. He proposes them a courageous solution – it has to do with exchange of territories.

According to him, Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade would need to agree that north beyond Ibër River becomes part of Serbia, while Presevo Valley is attached to Kosovo.

“This issue can be solved by detaching a part of Kosovo, the north of Kosovo, and by attaching Presevo Valley to Kosovo,” Qosja stated.

Talking to Klan Kosova Debate Zone show, Qosja admitted that this is not an easy solution for Albanians or Serbs, but he insists that this is the only real option.

“This unification is not only at the interest of Albanians, it is also at the interest of the Balkans. It will also be easier for the Balkan countries. Why should they deal with two states, when they can deal with one,” he added.

After the exchange of territory, the academic, who was part of negotiations with Serbia at the time of war in Rambouillet, says that Kosovo will join Albania.

“In my vision, Albania and Kosovo will be joined,” he believes.

Qosja knows that there are many people who will oppose such a proposal and who defend the idea of Kosovo nation, but he said that this does not present a major problem.

Dacic: Kosovo’s armed and security forces cannot go to north

(RTK2)

Kosovo’s armed and security forces cannot go to northern Kosovo,

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said.

“When Presidents, Prime Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs discuss it is assumed that they have sufficient capacity to reach agreements,” Dacic responded to reporter’s question as what the weight of verbal agreements is.

In the meantime, RTK2, quoted a statement of Kosovo Police given to Serbian news agency Beta that all Kosovo Police units operate throughout the territory of Kosovo in compliance with the legislation in force and they are not obliged to request anyone’s consent for their operation in any part of Kosovo, including the north.

Dikovic and COMKFOR Fungo discuss security situation

(RTK2)

Chief-of-staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, Ljubisa Dikovic, discussed on Thursday at Base South with the KFOR Commander, General Giovanni Fungo, the current political and security situation in Kosovo, Serbian Ministry of Defence reported.

General Fungo said that KFOR will take all measures to secure peace and protect the overall population in Kosovo, particularly the most endangered ones.

Vetëvendosje: Arrest of activists is political and fabricated

(KTV Interactive)

A poster displayed at the Assembly of Kosovo by Vetëvendosje MPs, by which they wanted to convey the message that arrest of Vetëvendosje activists is political and fabricated, provoked reactions of MPs of ruling parties.

Photos of popular people from media, police and justice were displayed in this poster.

“Every time that mandate of this authority is put at risk, it uses the people who are servile to it to fight Vetëvendosje Movement. I will start with the public broadcaster (RTK), or more precisely with the exponents within RTK who are captured by ‘Pronto Clan’ and who are Mentor Shala and Ridvan Berisha,” VV MP Albulena Haxhiu stated.

The poster included Minister of Justice, Dhurata Hoxha, Minister of Interior Skender Hyseni, Police Director Shpend Maxhuni, RTK Director Mentor Shala, RTK editor in chief Ridvan Berisha, Prosecutor Sylë Hoxha, and others.

During the debate, LDK MP Besa Gaxherri told Albulena Haxhiu that there is no greater sin than the fact she was seating at the MP seat, and for her to deal with her as an MP.

Sabri Hamiti of LDK said he will be a public advocate of theirs, in case the arrests of VV activists are proven to be political.

Hysenaj: Tendency for media control does not start or end with this authority

(KTV)

Head of the Association of Kosovo Journalists, Shkëlqim Hysenaj, through a posting in his Facebook profile, condemned the gesture of Vetëvendosje MPs, who, while exhibiting a poster at the Assembly of Kosovo they also showed the faces of RTK Director General, Mentor Shala, and RTK3 editor in chief Ridvan Berisha.

Vetëvendosje MPs Driton Çaushi and Fisnik Ismaili did this while the other MP of this Movement, Albulena Haxhiu, was making her address.

“This is a shameful act. Lynching and attribution of such accusations as Vetëvendosje is doing with RTK fellow journalists is the strongest indicator that tendency for media control does not start or end with this authority,” Hyseni wrote, online version of KTV reported.

RTK Director reacts against Vetëvendosje poster

(KTV Interactive)

RTK Director General, Mentor Shala, reacted following developments at the Assembly.

“Public lynching and calls for liquidation of journalists and media collapsing from certain political entities are known and proved practices in totalitarian and dictatorial regimes,” Shala wrote in Facebook.

He welcomed the reaction made by the Head of Association of Kosovo Journalists, Shkëlqim Hysenaj, against the poster in question.

Serbia is increasing military armament near Kosovo

(TV21)

Serbia is increasing its weapons and equipment near the border with Kosovo, at the military base that is located only 15 kilometres away from this border, said Head of National Council for Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac, Jonuz Musliu.

He told RTV Dukagjini that provocations which the Serbian state is making in Presevo Valley are planned and triggered by the presidential elections that will be held this year in Serbia.